6-18-12
Journal
Earch character in a story needs separate description from the others. To do this, important charcters need to be described using dirct and indirect characterization. These are characters from a long-developed story I am working on, and shows the relationships and personalities within a family.

Celia crept down the stairwell, sliding silently down the slick polished wooden ramp. She remained mounted in a low crouch, and watched as her grandfather sttomped toward the door and yanked it open.
"Keep an eye on her, boy." He nodded his head in the direction of their worn armchair. The chair gave no reply, but Celia was sure that her brother Drake inhabited it.
"I need you to listen, boy."
"I am," Drake answered quietly.
"There's something up with Celia-" as the old man said this, she curled her lip. "She's not herself."
Drake draped his arm over the upholstery. "She's being herself alright. You just don't know who she is. You haven't seen the demon that lurks inside my sister."
Celia held back a growl and shrunk behind a large potted plant. How she wished she could wring his bony neck!

Nice work
6-18-12
The Brain
Cerebellum
Divisions Reasons for Study
Retention of learning Generalization of learning Memory Circuit has been discovered Cause of memory diseases
The brain is a complicated living machine which funtions through a series of divisions. This allows things to be done efficiently and quicly as it would in a factory. It is a mystery of the world, as we still cannot understand why we have such complicated brains. Even the brightest of our counterparts, apes, are baffled when it comes to abstract concepts- things you cannot see or touch. This may be what makes us human, for we dwell on them constantly.
6-18-12
The Name Game
When you meet a person, you most likely will exchange a cordial greeting. "Hi, my name is......... What's yours?" However, when I met Augusta, the conversation evolved into an abnormal one about where our names came from. The name Augusta was passed down from her great-great-grandmother on her father's side, who went by the name of Ruby Augusta. It has a divine meaning: "To be worshipped." The last name was given from her father as many are. However, she is not fond of her last name and would change it if she could. Both of these names are of German origin. Lynn, Augusta's middle name, means "Sun".
My names have no particular meaning, but are still unique. My first name is pronounced in a way that no one ever quite understands, and my mother fought to give it to me. My father wanted to name me Natalia, which is my middle name. My last name, Reid, was given to me by my father, and spans many generations in his homeland of Jamaica.

I deleted your last name

6-18-12
Negatives
Until our house is registered as purchased, we are to live in IHG Army housing - a hotel for soldiers and their families. We were only allowed one small room, big enough to fit just a bed, a television, a bathroom, and a futon. This is not a satisfactory amount of space for three people, two dogs, and four suitcases. The lack of space causes constant sibling argument, as we are each used to having our own space and cannot stand the heat long enough to stay outside. My mother annoys both of us by clearing away and stashing any books, electronincs, or shoes she sets her eyes on. The room was supplied with only a minifridge and microwave. This means that unless we buy a crockpot, we'll be surviving on Oodles of Noodles and other microwavable dinners. The dogs both have pinhole sized bladders and need to be taken out every one or two hours. Unfortunately, or room is on the fourth flooor and the only way down is the elevator. Because of constant traffic, the elevator is often out of order. On the first floor, screeches can be heard. They come from the laundry room where twenty or more women battle for the six washers and three dryers provided. Outside, be sure to watch your step. If you don't, youll be swarmed by the same monstrous ants that sent my dog to the vet.

Lovely!

6-19-12
Tea With Milk
The pictures in this book are very expressive, and tell the story in their own way when you study them.
  • From the title page, you could tell it would be a racial or identity struggle.
  1. I thought from the picture that the young girl was in America. I didn't notice the person watching her, though the way she dressed and her happiness made more sense after reading.
  2. I knew she was unhappy from the picture, but until I read the text I didn't realize that she had been moved back overseas to Japan.
  3. From the picture, I thought that this may be a different person because she was going to school as a grown woman.
  4. I had thought from the picture that she was serving the man soup - I didn't understand that she was being taught skills and rituals.
  5. I knew that they were unhappy with one another, but didn't know that they were being set up for an arranged marriage.
  6. Just as the text explained, I noticed her fancy American clothing and others' reaction to it.
  7. It looked to me like a large city such as New York. I have never seen such a department store, even there.
  8. I saw that she was marveling at the size of the building, and thought it looked like an airport. I was wrong, of course, for from the truth.
  9. I had never seen people working elevators. I was wondering whether they were taking takets to something or just welcoming people through the doors.
  10. I knew she was working because of her uniform, and noted that she was for once getting to speak to other Americans. She seemed genuinely happy. The text confirmed this.
  11. Though she was not wearing her former uniform, I had the feeling that those were her managers or coworkers.
  12. I didn't know she was one of the couples at the cafe because the introduction of the man was given in the text.
  13. She was appalled by something he said or did. This was shown in both the picture and the text.
  14. Something made the couple happy again. The picture suggests travel, but you cannot be sure until reading.
  15. They were obviously husband and wife. This was confirmed in the text.

6-19-12
Is it Racism or Ignorance?
Many people develop stereotypes through ignorance or lack of communication. This can be thoght of as racism by others who encounter it. Almost every summer, my cousins travel with my family to Jamaica. This is where my father's family lives. My cousins are very mixed, with both Spanish and caucasian origin. Therefore their skin is vey light.
When we travel to Jamaica, we are all greeted with the name of "Foreigner". However, within a week of observing our habits, we are given nicknames. "Baller" is often my little sister's name, as she plays soccer well. My name is "No Mouth" because I don't talk very much. My cousins are "White Boy" and "White Girl" because of their light skin. This would normally be considered racist. If you spoke to someone that way in the U.S. that person would start a riot. However, I know for a fact that the people of Montego Bay mean no harm. They just legitimately have never seen anyone with such light skin.
It is not only skin that they marvel at, but health. Old women gather around us at the airport and on my Grandmother's porch, pinching our cheeks and telling us how fat we are. I asked my father once why they do this, and he told me it was a compliment. Most people in Jamaica don't have any money, and struggle throughout the day for food. They see muscle, or a healthy layer of fat, and get excited. This healthy body is a sign that you have the money to feed yourself. It is status fsctor , and not taken lightly.
The community on this island is so tight lnit that hardly anyone branches out. Those that do, and become successful, become a celebrity. Everyone focuses on the money the have to share, as U.S money has a higher value. They are not afraid to fantacize about america and what the land of light skins is like. We were diving off of a low cliff into a pond one day when a boy tapped my cousin on my shoulder and asked of he lived in New York. I had never seen to more confused faces, as the little boy thought his question made perfect sense while Jonathan wanted to know where he'd get the money to live there.

Can you kindly add more because this is an interesting piece

6-19-12
Journal

This is direct characterization of a character I created.
Cherise loved hunting. Power flowed from her limbs to the arrow to the quivering air. She licked her lips. Veal would be a delectable treat tonight, and thais idiotic farmer would blame everyone but her, the ghost that haunted the boughs of the trees. She slowly pulled the string taught, then closed her eyes. She didn't need them to shoot a bow. Silence reigned over the forest as ifevery creature was holding its breath for fear of her.

6-20-12
Journal
The shot rocketed off the tree beside me, inches away from my arm. I suppressed a squeal and scrambled to my feet, sprinting away. Each step was agonizingly loud as the dead leaves crinkled beneath my feet. A hanging branch scraped my face then sprung back into place, shaking its inhibitor awake. The bird squalled in irritation, then suddenly fell silent. It plummeted from the tree with a gurgle. I paused and crept back to inspect it. A simple dart protruded from its chest, yet blood spewed from its wound and beak. Men bickered, debating whether they had hit me.

6-21-12
My Favorite Person
I greatly admire Rick O' Barry, his work and his relentless dedication. He is one of the most influential animal activists. He has been on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to the treatment of animals. He made a very successful career capturing and training dolphins, but when one died due to his treatment, he realized his actions were wrong.
Ric O' Barry is most famous for capturing and training the five dolphins used in the classic movie Flipper. His career as a dolphin trainer lasted ten years. At the peak of this decade, he had an epiphany. "Capturing and training dolphins just to do silly tricks is wrong," he said with remorse.
On the first Earth Day in 1970, Ric O' Barry founded the Dolphin Project. This project is dedicated to freeing captive dolphins and whales as well as ensuring the freedom of wild ones. Another motive is to educate others about animal rights and the inhumane way animals are treated in captivity.
Ric O' Barry has written two books on his cause. Behind the Dolphin Smile and To Free a Dolphin. In honor of his complete dedication to this noble cause, he has recieved an Environmental Achievement Award.
He has continued this line of representation for more than fourty years. Dolphin shows and zoos disgust him, and he encourages others to think about the fact that animal have minds and rights just as we do.

6-21-12
Persuation/Argumentation
ABC. Everyone thinks something different when hearing these three letters. Some chant the alphabet in their head. Others try to, but have forgotten the exact order. I think of Animal Birth Control. Spaying or neutering animals in your care can lower shelter populations, keep your house clean, and keep your animals healthy.
Many pets that are not spayed or neutered find a way to mate. This can overpopulate your house with a dog producing two litters per year and a cat producing six. All of these puppies and kittens cannot be cared for, so soon find their way into a shelter. As shelters are nonprofit organizatons, they often are in need of supplies such as food, drinking water, or cleaning products. Some run with minimal staff and space; therefore, the animals are kept in dingy cages strewn with hair and feces, and provided little exercize.
Leaving your animals "natural" as some call it can also damage your house. Every month when indoor cats go into heat, both males and females will spray the walls and scratch the doors. Dogs may yowl to communicate, and scratch doors and screens as well. Unneutered male pets will substitute partners for pillows, and your couches will soon be covered in sperm.
These behavior problems can also harm a pet's health. The animal will be put under extreme stress every month to find a mate. It can catch infections from animals it does mate with, or be infested by insects while sneaking outside. In order to prevent this, you, the owner, will need to spend hundreds of dollars on flea and tick preventative, indoor and outdoor gates, and time ensuring your house is secure. An animal with raging hormones can become irritable. It may begin to hiss or bite you or your guests or even strike out with its claws. The worst cases develop a sort of depression. They curl up in a corner and do nothing.
Animal birth control is the path for peace of mind and healthy pets.

Movie Questions
Kayanna - In the airport, did the officers search him because he was distracted or because he was of a different race? Why was Khan's brother against the marriage even though they were raised by an accepting mother?
Aristeo - What you think Khan really wants to tell the president of the USA? Why do you think the other muslims did not pray with Rizvan on the bus?
Aubrey - Why do they presume that Khan is a terriorist? Why did Khan give $500 to a different religion(christian only event)?
Augusta - Why does he have such a hard time talking to people? Why are people so amazed by the way Khan prays?
Ivy - Why does he want to fly all the way to DC to tell the president that he was not a terrorist? Why was Mandira mad at her sister-in-law?
Julianna - How does autism affect someone's ability to communicate? Why was Khan willing to go through so much pain/struggle to tell the president that he was a not a terroist? Why was Mandira so mad at Khan after the killing and why does she leave him?
Josh - What is he playing with in the airport? Will khan be with his wife Mandira again?
Jonah - Why does Khan want to meet the president? What happens to the kids who killed Sam?
Alyssa - Why didn't Reese tell the cops about who killed Sam?
Sydney - Will Reeses ever tell the truth and regret?

6-22-12
My Name Is Khan
While standing in the airport awaiting his flight, Khan was seized and searched. Yes, he had been disturbing nearby passengers with his mutterings and mineral rocks, but was this the real reason?
My father travels often. Almost every trip, more time is spent in the airport than on the plane. When I asked why, he told me that a black man wandering through the airport with big bags looks suspicious.